This ISN'T carpal tunnel...but what is it???

[GT84]

Hi,
I've been searching the internet trying to figure what my problem is....thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome but today was at the point of wanting a doctor to treat it, and when I researched the actual symptoms of carpal tunnel, mine don't match at all.  Luckily (thank you Lord!) my wrist relaxed and popped earlier today so I'm looking forward to sleeping well, finally. But, still trying to figure out what's actually the problem, and how to prevent.
My wrist hurts on the top/outside, right in the middle of the joint. It hurts unbearably (when it's actively flaring up) when I flex the wrist either direction, but worst flexing down/towards the elbow (NOT like if you're trying to catch yourself when falling...that hurts, and I have no strength, but the pain is less pointed that way).
Amazingly, this makes even less sense when I try to explain it.
Anyway - it's been flaring up for almost a month...I've had a carpal tunnel brace that I've been wearing, and it stabilizes the wrist so it feels better when it's on, but this time it just wasn't improving. So today I propped my arm on 4 reams of paper and just let it hang limp....after about 4 hours of total non-use, it popped and has not hurt since.
I work in a church office on a computer all day, plus my volunteer work keeps me online 3-5 hrs each night, minimum.
I'm not looking for a name for this, as much as a direction as to whether I need to see a doctor, or if there's a better brace out there that will help this not to occur as often (it happens 4-8 times a year now, but this has been the longest by far).
Thanks for reading and for any ideas,
GT

[DrKalraMD]

Hi, consult orthopedic surgeon. Do you have family history of arthritis? How old are you?

[GT84]

Thank you...this sounds the most likely. Since my wrist popped last week it feels fine....definitely not ganglion cyst, as someone else in another forum suggested (it was a good idea, but no bump at all, nothing visible and no swelling, just pain when it's flaring).

For now I am simply trying not to overuse...mousing with my left hand is quite entertaining!

What type of dr. would I initially go see to have something like this diagnosed....none of the doctors I have relationships with (my gynecologist, dentist and my kids' pediatrician) - would seem to be the best starting point...;-)  

[Zak_Han]

Hi,Clinically,there are have a diagnosis known as"wrist cartilage injury" that come from excessive use of the wrist,in fact,it is a synovial damage in the wrist.so physio or acupuncture can help.normaly X-ray show nothing.Good luck!

[DrKalraMD]

Hi, have you investigated for rheumatoid arthritis. Does any of other joint in the body hurts? Carpal tunnel syndrome is related with compression of median nerve leading to tingling in fingers especially in thumb, index and middle finger.

Investigations like ESR, RA factor are usually undertaken for diagnosis along with X ray of joint.